Multi-tiered feminine pad

ABSTRACT

A multi-tiered feminine pad consisting of multiple pad layers which have an absorption layer disposed on top of an impermeable material wherein the multiple pad tiers are secured together in a manner which allows removal of successive pad tiers while leaving the remaining pad tiers intact.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to feminine pads, and more specificallyto multi-tiered feminine pad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable feminine pads, or sanitary napkins, have long been used bywomen during their menstrual cycles. Women have also used these femininepads as an everyday pantyliner to maintain a high level of freshness andcleanliness throughout the day. Such menstrual pads and pantyliners mustbe replaced periodically. Many enhancements have been made to suchproducts to increase their comfort and the protection they offer,however, for a woman to feel fresh and clean, she must currently replaceher feminine pad with an entirely new feminine pad.

The need to replace the feminine pad requires women to carry at leastone replacement. Thus, a woman must carry with her some type ofreceptacle in which to carry her replacement feminine pads. This leavesthe woman few options if she wishes to travel without a handbag orpurse.

The current art requires that the entire pad must be replaced in orderto maintain the highest level of freshness and cleanliness. Hence, theneed exists for a feminine pad which will allow a woman to freshen herpad without having to carry along cumbersome replacement pads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a feminine pad which satisfiesthe needs identified above: a feminine pad which can be refreshedwithout requiring the use of an entirely new replacement pad. Thepreferred version of this invention includes: i) a first absorbing padtier consisting of an impermeable layer which is adhered to anundergarment; ii) a first absorbing layer; iii) a first dry weave layerto allow permanent absorption into the absorbing layer without allowingreverse flow of absorbed fluid; iv) a multiplicity of additional padtiers each consisting of an impermeable layer, an absorbing layer, and adry weave layer adhered to the immediately lower pad tier but easilyremovable by perforations along the edges of each pad tier.Alternatively, each pad tier can be adhered by a strip of adhesive withthe top pad tier being removed by stripping it away from the nextsuccessive tier underneath.

The multi-tiered pad allows the user to attach the pad to anundergarment by using an adhesive strip located on the underside of thepad. When the user wishes to refresh the pad, the top-most tier can bestripped away leaving a clean pad tier underneath. Successive pad tierscan be removed by the user as needed until all tiers have been utilized.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment of the invention without intending to limit the scope of theinvention which is set forth, in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the inventionin use;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the invention in its preferredembodiment;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention in use; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the multi-tiered feminine pad 5 (FIG. 1) includes threepad tiers 10, 20, and 30. The middle tier 20 is smaller than the top andbottom tiers 10 and 30 which are essentially the same size. All threetiers have generally the same shape, opposing elongated sides 15 and 16,and opposing sides that are shorter than the elongated sides, and theshorter sides are rounded 17 and 18. The three tiers are stacked uponeach other (FIG. 2).

The first pad tier 10 (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes of a layer of impermeablematerial such as plastic, and this layer has an adhesive strip locatedon the bottom planar surface of the impermeable material to adhere thefeminine pad to an undergarment. The adhesive should be of satisfactorystrength to securely attach to the undergarment while still allowing theuser to remove the pad after use.

Secured to and fitting within the top planar surface of the impermeablematerial, is an absorbent layer 13 having a top surface and a bottomsurface, which comprises a suitably absorbent material. Over the topsurface to the absorbent layer is a dry weave material 14 which allowsabsorption by the absorbent layer, but prevents reverse flow through thedry weave material of the absorbed fluid.

Attached to first pad tier 10 is a middle pad tier 20. The middle padtier 20 has substantially the same construction as the first pad tier10, namely, a second impermeable layer 22, a second absorbent layer 23,and disposed on the top planar surface of the absorbent layer is a dryweave material 24. Multiple additional pad tiers having the sameconstruction as the first and second pad tiers can be used.

The multiple pad tiers are secured together by perforations 33 and 34(FIG. 2) along the first and second elongated sides 15 and 16 of the padtiers. Successive pad tiers can be removed by tearing along theperforations 33 and 34.

An alternative embodiment includes securing the first pad. tier 10 (FIG.5) to the middle pad tier 20 with an adhesive strip 21 located on thebottom surface of the impermeable layer. Further, securing the middletier pad to the top tier pad 30 with an adhesive strip 31 located on thebottom surface of the impermeable layer. The adhesive used should be ofsuitable strength to keep each pad tier in place when in use, whileallowing the user to easily remove pad tiers when necessary.

The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to thedescription of the preferred versions contained herein. Although thepresent invention has been described in considerable detail withreference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions arepossible.

I claim:
 1. A multi-tiered feminine pad, which attaches to anundergarment for everyday use as a pantyliner and during a menstrualcycle, comprising: a first pad tier having an under surface, first andsecond opposing elongated sides, and third and fourth opposing sidesthat are shorter in length than said first and second sides; said firstpad tier having a plurality of layers, a first layer comprised of anabsorbing material, a second layer, having a bottom planar surface and atop planar surface, comprised of an impermeable material; said firstlayer, having a top surface and a bottom surface, which fits within andis attached to said top planar surface of said second layer; top padtier having substantially the same construction as the first pad tier,but having a smaller surface area; a middle pad tier havingsubstantially the same construction as said first pad tier and having asmaller surface area than the top and first pad tiers; said middle padtier is located below the top pad tier and above the first pad tier; andmeans for securing the first pad tier to said middle pad tier whileallowing for detachment of said middle pad tier from the first pad tier.2. A multi-tiered feminine pad as in claim 1 further comprising anadhesive disposed along said bottom planar surface of said impermeablematerial of said first pad tier for attachment of said multi-tieredfeminine pad to the undergarment.
 3. A multi-tiered feminine pad as inclaim 1 wherein said opposing third and fourth sides of said pad tiersare rounded.
 4. A multi-tiered feminine pad as in claim 1 wherein saidimpermeable material is plastic.
 5. A multi-tiered feminine pad as inclaim 1 further comprising a third layer comprised of a material whichallows absorption of fluid into said first layers while preventingreverse flow of fluid through the material, wherein the material isdisposed over said top surface of said first layers.
 6. A multi-tieredfeminine pad as in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprise aplurality of attachment points intermittently connecting said first padtier to said middle pad tier that is closest to said first pad tieralong a linear path substantially parallel and proximal to said firstand second opposing sides of said pad tiers; said attachment pointsconstructed of a material capable of tearing along said linear path topermit separation of said middle pad tier from said first pad tier; andeach of said pad tiers detachably connected to each adjacent pad tierthat is closest to it by a plurality of attachment points intermittentlyconnecting said adjacent tiers together along a linear pathsubstantially parallel and proximal to said first and second opposingsides of said tiers whereby each of said tiers is detachably separablefor easy disposal by a user.
 7. A multi-tiered feminine pad, whichattaches to an undergarment for everyday use as a pantyliner and duringa menstrual cycle, comprising: a first pad tier having an under surface,first and second opposing elongated sides, and third and fourth opposingsides that are shorter in length than said first and second sides; saidfirst pad tier having a plurality of layers, a first layer comprised ofan absorbing material, a second layer, having a bottom planar surfaceand a top planar surface, comprised of an impermeable material; saidfirst layer, having a top surface and a bottom surface, which fitswithin and is attached to said top planar surface of said second layer,a third layer comprised of a material which allows absorption of fluidinto said absorbing material of the first layer while preventing reverseflow of fluid through the material of the third layer, wherein thematerial of said third layer is disposed over the ton surface of saidabsorbing material of the first layer; a top pad tier havingsubstantially the same construction as the first pad tier, but having asmaller surface area; a middle pad tier having substantially the sameconstruction as said first pad tier and having a smaller surface areathan the top and first pad tiers; said middle pad tier is located belowthe top pad tier and above the first pad tier; a plurality of attachmentpoints intermittently connecting said first pad tier to said middle padtier that is closest to said first pad tier along a linear pathsubstantially parallel and proximal to said first and second opposingsides of said pad tiers; said attachment points constructed of amaterial capable of tearing along said linear path to permit separationof said middle pad tier from said first pad tier; and each of said padtiers detachably connected to each adjacent pad tier that is closest toit by a plurality of attachment points intermittently connecting saidadjacent tiers together along a linear path substantially parallel andproximal to said first and second opposing sides of said tiers wherebyeach of said tiers is detachably separable for easy disposal by a user.8. A multi-tiered feminine pad of claim 7 further comprising an adhesivedisposed along said bottom planar surface of said impermeable materialof said first pad tier for attachment of said multi-tiered feminine padto the undergarment.